Corruption in Public life

These days, in electronic as well as the print Media, corruption is the 'hotspot' and perhaps the shortcut most recklessly used to increasing 'circulation' or 'TRP ratings'. Let us concentrate over it and find out as to why corruption has taken the central idea in our lives although everybody is in agreement with everybody else over the ill-effects of this social menace.

What is corruption?

There are different meanings of the word found in different dictionaries. I am presenting only those ones which are relevant to the article.

Corruption Noun:

1.  Lack of integrity or honesty (especially susceptibility to bribery); use of a position of trust for dishonest gain

2. Moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles

3. Destroying someone's (or some group's) honesty or loyalty; undermining moral integrity

4. Inducement (as of a public official) by improper means (as bribery) to violate duty (as by committing a felony)

Through the above description of the word 'Corruption', we can conclude the following:

1 It relates to human behavior,

2 It is regulated by one's moral values.

3 Generally, money is involved in the act of corruption.

It is the human behavior which is mainly responsible for the act of corruption. It is, in fact, the expression of degeneration and defects in our society. Corrupt practices are more visible in the communities which have lesser regards for the moral values. Therefore, it is the signal which tells that we are gradually developing a kind of disregard towards the principles and the ideals based upon the ethical norms. It also shows the hypocrisy and dichotomy of one's actions.

Those who are engaged in corrupt practices think that it is the only solution. Most of us wish to achieve their targets by hook or by crook. They conveniently forget that achieving the goals is surely important but equally important is the means used to reach that goal. In the political circles, the scholars have very rightly established the connection between the power and the fraudulent practices. "Power corrupts power and absolute power corrupts absolutely." It shows that those holding the most powerful positions, may be involved in the highest levels of corruption.

That is why, these days we read in the Media about the crooked behavior of our political class. Our leaders who have the responsibility to show us the correct way of life by setting a model through their examplery actions, have failed to do so. There is a very old saying, "As is the king, so shall be the subjects." The common men and women see their rulers as models. Not only the ruling class, all those who attain a respectable position in the society, are seen as the model and hence they influence the masses directly or indirectly. Their behavior in the public life determines the behavior of the general public. If they show ethical character and human values in their actions, the common people follow it and the opposite is also is followed with the same commitment. Thus, it is the duty of our political class and other prominent personalities that they should demonstrate to us through their actions as to what kind of society they would like to live in. their attitude towards the corruption would decide the level of corruption in the society. If they wish to give a corruption-free society to their discendants, they ought to follow the path of simplicity and and modesty.